After being paired with regular educators (N=25), special education resource teachers (N=25) attempted to predict regular education responses to an opinionnaire regarding mainstreaming. Special educators underestimated regular education willingness to teach the handicapped, but correctly predicted attitudes involving resources, feelings of…

Nondisabled students (n=65) and disabled students (n=120) from mainstreamed grades 6 through 12 were surveyed and compared to non-mainstreamed controls. Responses were analyzed in the categories of stereotypes, peer-ratings, and self-ratings. Nondisabled students favorably described the disabled in general, but descriptions of actual disabled…

Over 100 resource rooms, mainstreamed classes, and special day classes for learning handicapped students were observed in a longitudinal study of Micro-Educational Environments (MEEs) and microcomputer use. Results from 1986 and changes from 1984 to 1986 cover hardware selection and location; student grouping; software; access; use time; and user,…

Five case studies of 7- to 14-year-olds mainstreamed (by necessity) in isolated rural Queensland (Australia) schools were reviewed. Five factors influenced mainstreaming outcomes: (1) the "self-sufficiency myth" (2) availability of specialist support; (3) effective use of support services; (4) quality of staff communication; and (5) lack…

Addresses some concerns about the safety of handicapped students in school science laboratories, along with some of the litigating factors involved in not addressing those concerns. Offers some general suggestions for teachers in working with handicapped students, and describes specific laboratory teaching approaches for students with different…

Parents have a real opportunity to influence their child's education through participation in the Committee on the Handicapped process which includes referral, evaluation, Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning and review. Specific guidelines for parent participation in this process are discussed, including parent/teacher conferences,…

The Association for Children with Learning Disabilities encourages a Regular Education/Special Education Initiative as a system of integrated planning, delivery, and evaluation of the effects of services to disabled children. Specific recommendations regarding the development of pilot projects and competency training for school personnel, related…

Presents results from a survey of district and regional media center directors who circulate nonprint educational media collections to public schools, especially materials for handicapped learners. The study found a variety of procedures for the selection and evaluation of nonprint materials for circulation and identified factors accounting for…

Discusses how the socioeconomic "caste system" operates to differentiate education, and addresses questions concerning the definition of mainstream competence and the labeling of students as unfit or incompetent. Discusses the shortcomings of the three solutions for language incompetence. (HTH)

Argues the advantages of setting up programs for special education students within local schools as an alternative to outside placements and residential institutions. The author details the financial savings of the two-year old program of which he is director and describes adjustments made to better meet students' needs. (JBM)

Due to concern about regular classroom teachers' attitudes towards handicapped children, a study was performed on teacher trainees. Three groups of preservice teachers were studied: those in a mainstreaming program, a group of special education majors, and elementary school majors. Results show that the mainstreaming program helped modify trainee…

Mainstreaming of handicapped children who need unique nursing procedures, high caseloads, and decreasing numbers of school nurses have created an environment of potential harm to handicapped children. Educators without adequate training may assume treatment of these children, creating potential for malpractice lawsuits. Revised perceptions of…

A questionnaire was developed to assess how parents of a learning disabled child viewed (1) their relationship with school personnel, (2) their child's academic and social progress, and (3) integrated programs involving handicapped and nonhandicapped students. (Author/CL)

This issue of "Peabody Journal of Education" is devoted to a study of one metropolitan school district's attempts to implement Public Law 94-142 beyond satisfying the law's requirements to real changes in services. Chapters cover: (1) background, enactment, and implementation of the law; (2) the school system; (3) elementary schools; (4)…

Compares and contrasts movements for education of handicapped and of gifted children to discover philosophical and economic incompatibilities as well as grounds for future cooperation between advocates for the two groups. Shared concerns include identification of gifted and retarded, rationales for providing services, opposition, mainstreaming vs.…